What to do in Spike Island

Activities, attractions and tours

A group of people behind bars, suggesting a prison setting.
A coastal town with buildings and a ferry dock.
A historical exhibit with a brick wall, wooden display cases, and a projection screen.
A large white building with a clock tower, surrounded by a grassy area and trees.
A stone wall, a grassy area, a building with a clock, and a road.

Places to Visit in Spike Island

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Spike Island, County Cork while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Spike Island attractions from , making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Spike Island tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Spike Island. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

Activities

County Cork: Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

County Cork: Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

NZ$98
per adult
County Cork: Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip
Morning Blarney Castle & Kinsale Half Day Tour from Cork

Morning Blarney Castle & Kinsale Half Day Tour from Cork

NZ$93
per adult
76% of travellers recommend
Morning Blarney Castle & Kinsale Half Day Tour from Cork
Cork Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Sweet Treats, and More

Cork Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Sweet Treats, and More

NZ$112
per adult
Cork Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Sweet Treats, and More
Rebel City Distillery Tour

Rebel City Distillery Tour

NZ$55
per adult
Rebel City Distillery Tour
From Cork: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Trip

From Cork: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Trip

NZ$116
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
From Cork: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Trip
Cork: Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show

Cork: Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show

NZ$110
per adult
Cork: Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show
Cliffs of Moher and More: Full-Day Tour from Cork

Cliffs of Moher and More: Full-Day Tour from Cork

NZ$146
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Cliffs of Moher and More: Full-Day Tour from Cork
Blarney Castle and Kinsale Tour from Cork

Blarney Castle and Kinsale Tour from Cork

NZ$116
per adult
Blarney Castle and Kinsale Tour from Cork
Easy Access - The Blarney Stone & Castle Gardens Tour

Easy Access - The Blarney Stone & Castle Gardens Tour

NZ$130
per adult
Easy Access - The Blarney Stone & Castle Gardens Tour
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Top places to visit

1. Blarney Castle

Visit Blarney Castle to see dungeons, towers and ramparts of a fortress dating back to the 15th century. Marvel at the colorful flower displays of the perfectly groomed gardens and enjoy picnics on pristine lawns. Climb to the Blarney Stone, said to grant the gift of eloquence to all who kiss it. Today’s Blarney Castle is the third structure on the site and was established in 1446 by the then King of Munster.
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A castle surrounded by lush greenery and a gravel path leading to it.

2. University College Cork

Cork University College is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland and was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen’s colleges located in Belfast, Galway and Cork. The university won international acclaim when it was named Irish University of the Year by the Sunday Times in 2011.
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A grand hall with wooden bookshelves, a green table, and a stained glass window.

3. English Market

Visit Cork’s English Market to encounter the infectious sights, sounds and smells of a centuries-old food market. Discover everything from organic fruits and vegetables to artisanal ice cream, fresh seafood and locally produced cheeses. Try typical Cork fare while watching the bustling market activity from the comfort of a café or restaurant. The English Market dates back to 1788. Today its more than 50 traders form an integral part of Cork’s culinary scene.
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A food market with a deli counter displaying various meats and cheeses.

4. Cork City Gaol

Visit Cork City Gaol, where prisoners were held in gruesome conditions for almost a century during the 1800s and 1900s. Learn about this historic prison’s famous inmates, their crimes, escapes and executions while walking between the well-preserved cells. Cork City Goal opened in 1824 and became an all-female prison in 1878. It held a mix of well-known prisoners and poor citizens, many convicted of petty crimes such as stealing clothes and food.
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A multi-level atrium with stone walls, a central staircase, and a chandelier.

5. Blackrock Castle

Visit Blackrock Castle for an in-depth discovery of the universe in which we live and the chance to hear the stories of Cork’s ancient royal rulers. Officially the Blackrock Castle Observatory, The Space for Science, it has educational and historical exhibits suitable for all ages. Established as a stronghold in 1582, Blackrock Castle was later the seat of Cork’s maritime courts. It reopened as a science museum in 2007.
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A stone castle with a tall tower, a wooden door, and a paved pathway.

6. Charles Fort

Charles Fort is a historic landmark and the biggest visitor attraction in the village of Kinsale. Review 400 years of Irish history as you wander past bastions, ruined barracks and other remnants of this preserved defense structure. You don't have to be a military history enthusiast to enjoy this treasured Irish site; the views over the harbor and Kinsale town are magnificent.
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A stone bridge leading to a historic fort with a grassy foreground and a cloudy sky in the background.

7. Fota Wildlife Park

Fota Wildlife Park is an expansive rural setting where exotic animals roam and interact with one another. It focuses on conservation and improving the quality of life of the animals with vast spaces and unobtrusive barriers. Bring the kids to this picturesque island zoo to see giraffes, wild cats and primates.
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A group of giraffes standing close together in a fenced enclosure with a grassy area and trees in the background.

Recommended things to do in Spike Island

Number of things to do
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
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Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Spike Island

 

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